Raleigh and the Triangle Guide and Discussion

[DaveG]

Probably the best areas for your money value are Wake Forest in the northern part of the area, and Apex or Holly Springs in the southern part. Both are pretty safe communities and on the whole rather nice areas. Cary is also an area that I would recommend but it tends to be a bit more on the pricey side then any of the first 3 I mentioned. Raleigh itself isn't too bad but there are some bad areas. I'll let one of the guys more familiar with the city fill you in on where not to live there.

 

[geehaad]

So the question is, where's good to live and where's not? Where's good value for money etc.

Hopefully this thread will be helpful.

 

[DaleCooper]

It really depends on what you are looking for. For example, I would never in my life consider living in any of the places DaveG just listed, because I have no interest in suburbia (well at least at this time). That said, that seems to be the kind of place that most people are looking for, and in those areas you can get a good sized house for a decent price, but you just have to be aware that if you want to do anything that isn't big box chain stores and restaurants (for the most part), you'll have to drive into Raleigh.

 

[Chloraflora]

Thanks for the help folks!

I'm a city boy from England she's a country girl from NY, so we're a little undecided on exactly what we're looking for yet... we're working on it!

 

[Russ2582]

I'm planning to visit the Raleigh area in the winter time area to check out a Canes game and to look at some relocation plans in the next couple years to that area. My main question is off-topic to the thread but would it be more feasible to check out a regular season Canes game or the 2011 All Star game?

Also, how is the nightlife in the Raleigh area?

 

[DaveG]

I'd say definitely a regular season game, not to say that going to the ASG is a bad option but there's usually so much going on around All Star weekends in any sport that you may get caught up and not really hit that much of the housing market.

As for the nightlife, I'm not the best person to answer that one but I've found more of a beer scene then a club scene. It's a good thing in my books but it's not quite for everyone, and I've never been over impressed by the clubs that were in Raleigh. The club scene seems to be lagging behind a good but compared to what would be expected for an area growing this fast. But then again I haven't been much for the club scene since my early 20s.

 

[DaleCooper]

Updated!

 

[phantoms]

DC - thanks for all this useful info. You have made it so easy to plan my family trip Feb 18th - 20th for the Flyers vs Canes game. Just have one question and it's probably a dumb one. How are the Canes fans with the visiting teams fans? Any problems to watch for or do the fans actually sit there and talk to the visiting team fans?

 

[DaveG]

DC - thanks for all this useful info. You have made it so easy to plan my family trip Feb 18th - 20th for the Flyers vs Canes game. Just have one question and it's probably a dumb one. How are the Canes fans with the visiting teams fans? Any problems to watch for or do the fans actually sit there and talk to the visiting team fans?

For the most part, if you have a conversation in good faith with someone (IE: talking about Brindy at any point in his career in your case) you'll be fine. There are very few that Canes fans don't get along with and those are usually the drunken idiots that get kicked out of any stadium or someone looking to pick a fight. Somehow I highly doubt you fall into either category.

 

[tarheelhockey]

About 6 months before I decided to move here, I visited RBC in full Bruins gear for a playoff game. Not one single person gave me a hard time (other than friendly jeers) and several people went completely out of their way to welcome me and my family.

The impression really stuck with me in light of other arena experiences I've had.

 

[phantoms]

For the most part, if you have a conversation in good faith with someone (IE: talking about Brindy at any point in his career in your case) you'll be fine. There are very few that Canes fans don't get along with and those are usually the drunken idiots that get kicked out of any stadium or someone looking to pick a fight. Somehow I highly doubt you fall into either category.

Yeah Dave I might get drunk but I wouldn't pull the idiot card and act like a complete jackass or want to start a fight with anyone. Not very fond of the fans here that do that in our home to visiting fans. Somehow I highly doubt any problems at all down there. I wouldn't care about any "flyers suck hahaha" type stuff. But the "flyers *****in suck" stuff just don't fly with me having my son with me.

tarheelhockey - that's good to know!!! I'm sure my family will be fine down there. Hell I'm sure canes fans will have some good conversations with us since it is Brind'Amour retirement night.

 

[DaleCooper]

Updated a few more things. I rely a lot more on people feeding me info now since I no longer live in the area. Big thanks to garnetpalmetto who has contributed a lot to the list.

 

[slitz]

just got tix for the philly game feb 18. great thread, thanks for the info!

 

[slitz]

the comfort inn is sold out for the night we will be there. i see that the ramada is close, but it doesnt look like there are sidewalks. is it a safe walk?

 

[geehaad]

i see that the ramada is close, but it doesnt look like there are sidewalks. is it a safe walk?

I'm pretty sure there are sidewalks all the way down Westchase blvd, but the answer to your question is yes. Very safe.

 

[garnetpalmetto]

I'm pretty sure there are sidewalks all the way down Westchase blvd, but the answer to your question is yes. Very safe.

Sorry to disagree, geehAAB, but I don't think there are. If my memory serves me right (and Google Maps Street View is still accurate), there's a sidewalk at first, but it stops right after that office building and you have unpaved shoulder the rest of the way - a fairly wide unpaved shoulder, but unpaved shoulder. Nonetheless, I know I've seen people walk from the Ramada to the RBC Center down Westchase during the game, so I'd concur that it's safe. There are police at the intersection of Blue Ridge & Westchase who would gladly help with the crossing, I'm sure.

 

[geehaad]

Sorry to disagree, geehAAB, but I don't think there are.

There is an asphalt walkway on the north side of that road now, by the new football practice facility. I know this because I've seen Tom O'Brien jogging there a couple of times.

Not sure how far up it connects, but I'm pretty sure it goes all the way to the end of the RBC Center property, which is far enough.

 

[garnetpalmetto]

There is an asphalt walkway on the north side of that road now, by the new football practice facility. I know this because I've seen Tom O'Brien jogging there a couple of times.

Not sure how far up it connects, but I'm pretty sure it goes all the way to the end of the RBC Center property, which is far enough.

Thanks for the correction - hadn't been down Westchase in a little while so I wasn't sure if they'd paved the north side of the road where that wide, unpaved shoulder I mentioned used to be.

 

[The Devil In I]

I'm visiting a friend in Greensboro for New Years weekend, and we're staying in Raleigh Saturday night to watch the Devils in town. I've been checking through the list of bars available in the Raleigh area, and the info is definitely good...but what I'm trying to find out is what places are good for younger crowds and plenty of girls? We're staying at a hotel a little over a mile from the arena.

BTW I'm seriously considering making a Larsson nameplate out of hockey tape on the back of my blank Devils jersey...so if you see someone wearing that at the game..that'll be me.

 

[geehaad]

I'm visiting a friend in Greensboro for New Years weekend, and we're staying in Raleigh Saturday night to watch the Devils in town. I've been checking through the list of bars available in the Raleigh area, and the info is definitely good...but what I'm trying to find out is what places are good for younger crowds and plenty of girls? We're staying at a hotel a little over a mile from the arena.

If you're willing to name the hotel, you will probably get better advice about the bars closest to where you're staying.

In general, you can't go wrong with Glenwood South. This website has a few of the bars in that district listed (the ones with a Glenwood Ave addess): http://raleigh.citysearch.com/list/106711

 

[The Devil In I]

If you're willing to name the hotel, you will probably get better advice about the bars closest to where you're staying.

In general, you can't go wrong with Glenwood South. This website has a few of the bars in that district listed (the ones with a Glenwood Ave addess): http://raleigh.citysearch.com/list/106711

Had to wait to hear from my friend to know what place he booked..we're gonna be at the Wingate near Wyndham state arena. Thanks

 

[Sasha Cares]

Had to wait to hear from my friend to know what place he booked..we're gonna be at the Wingate near Wyndham state arena. Thanks

That's the new hotel right at 54 and I-40 across from Corporate Center Drive... You could run straight down 54/Hillsborough St into downtown

 

[What the Faulk]

Kevin Weekes provides his input

 

[garnetpalmetto]

Kevin Weekes provides his input

Oh, come on Kevin. A rack of ribs isn't Carolina barbeque! Chopped pork or nothing else! You'd think after three years as a Cane he'd know that.

You also have to love how all three of his restaurant selections are high-end spots. Although, if you have the wherewithal to afford tickets to the game, maybe their menu prices aren't such a big deal. I've been to Sullivan's all of twice - once with my then-girlfriend (now-wife) for Valentine's Day and once with my office for Christmas. It is a good steak, but for my money I think Firebirds is just as good. I've never been to the Angus Barn or Saint-Jacques, but eek...taking a look at Saint-Jacques' menu, all of their dinner entrees are in the $25-$40 price range. A little pricey on a paralegal's salary!

Lastly, even though I don't really have a dog in the UNC-NC State-Duke rivalry since I'm an SEC guy, you have to love the snub to Duke when Amber asks which school Weekes backed - NC State, UNC, or Wake Forest? WTF? I think somebody needs to let Amber know that Wake's in Winston-Salem, not the Triangle.

 

[Sens1Canes2]

Oh, come on Kevin. A rack of ribs isn't Carolina barbeque! Chopped pork or nothing else! You'd think after three years as a Cane he'd know that.

You also have to love how all three of his restaurant selections are high-end spots. Although, if you have the wherewithal to afford tickets to the game, maybe their menu prices aren't such a big deal. I've been to Sullivan's all of twice - once with my then-girlfriend (now-wife) for Valentine's Day and once with my office for Christmas. It is a good steak, but for my money I think Firebirds is just as good. I've never been to the Angus Barn or Saint-Jacques, but eek...taking a look at Saint-Jacques' menu, all of their dinner entrees are in the $25-$40 price range. A little pricey on a paralegal's salary!

Lastly, even though I don't really have a dog in the UNC-NC State-Duke rivalry since I'm an SEC guy, you have to love the snub to Duke when Amber asks which school Weekes backed - NC State, UNC, or Wake Forest? WTF? I think somebody needs to let Amber know that Wake's in Winston-Salem, not the Triangle.

I was thinking the same as you, if you're going to the All-Star Game from Canada or from outside of Raleigh, I'm pretty sure that Sullivan's and Angus Barn are well within your price range. I'll take the Sullivan's steak over anywhere in the area. Although, we went to Rey's in Cary for New Year's Eve, and the food was damn good. Service not so much.

As for Amber, c'mon man, he's been with TSN forever and they don't pay attention to college basketball up there!

Personally, I find it an endearing quality to snub Dook at every opportunity.